Jay-Z calls for youth to vote

The Empire State of Mind hitmaker insists the rise of far right group the British National Party (BNP) is a "problem", urging the country's youth to take a stand and cast their ballot.

He says, "The rise of the BNP is a problem. Power is dangerous in the hands of the wrong person and it's up to the people to get them out of there - which goes back to voting. We have to use that power. We can't just sit back and not vote - that's dangerous.

"Everyone needs new blood once in a while. And Britain needs it to shake up the country. People are calling it Broken Britain, so there's obviously a problem. Someone needs to reinvigorate and galvanise the country and give it something to believe in. That means a leader with charisma to get the youth out to vote."

And he hails US President Barack Obama, who he helped campaign for the White House, as a great example for other politicians.

He adds, "Britain needs to look at America and Obama to see how he did it. He connected with the young and gave them something to believe in. Before Obama, people in my neighbourhood were disillusioned. They thought nothing would happen no matter who was in office. But Obama changed that and really connected with people. He heard us and so we voted. Britain needs a leader who can do the same, who understands the youth and deals with their needs and what they have to say."